Cleaning roller assembly

ABSTRACT

A rotatable cleaning assembly comprising an elongated adjustable frame structure having a handle member on one end and a rotatable structure on the opposite end. An adhesive roll comprised of a tubular core having a wound length of flexible material with an outer adhesive surface is mounted on the rotatable structure. The length of flexible material is serially segmented portions by tear lines. Non adhesive areas are positioned covering the tear lines for segment identification and removal.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/260,993, filed on Jan. 11, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a cleaning rollerassembly for removing debris from various surfaces. Particularly, theinvention relates to a cleaning roller assembly having an adhesivesurface constructed and arranged to contact and roll over varioussurfaces to pick up debris and which permits the easy removal of thedebris laden outside layer for disposal while providing a new exterioradhesive layer for further cleaning use.

[0003] Although various cleaning means have been proposed and utilizedin the art regarding the cleaning of various surfaces, such as carpetedfloors, ceilings and the like, these means have generally includedvacuuming and sweeping devices. And although these prior art cleaningdevices and methods are suitable for many cleaning situations, certaintypes of debris are often difficult to remove and requires additional ordifferent cleaning means.

[0004] The cleaning assembly of the present invention provides anextendable cleaning device having a rotatable adhesive surface of asegmented separable, wound flexible material and which allows for easilycontrolled direct contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, forexample. The adhesive surface of the assembly is adapted to contact andpickup debris by adhering to the debris as the adhesive surface isrolled over the area to be cleaned. Further provided by the inventionare means to easily and quickly remove the soiled or debris-laden outerlayer from the rotatable structure and to provide a new rotatableadhesive surface for further cleaning purposes. And although a needexists in the cleaning art for a cleaning roller assembly as disclosedherein, none, as far as is known, has been proposed or developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The cleaning assembly of the invention is comprised of anelongated frame structure having a first end and a second end. A handlestructure is attached to the first end and a rotatable structure isattached to the second end. A length of flexible material having anadhesive outer surface is wound about the rotatable structure. Aplurality of perforated lines are spaced at predetermined intervalsalong the length of the flexible material to permit the separation ofused segments from the wound flexible material. Non-adhesive areas arelocated along the perforated lines and are provided to enable a user toidentify, to grasp and to tear along the perforated lines of theflexible material.

[0006] An embodiment of the cleaning roller assembly of the invention iscomprised of a roller assembly and an adhesive roll, such as a roll ofadhesive tape or like material and which is held on the roller assembly.A handle member and an extension member, which may be adjustable areprovided to control and manipulate the assembly. The roller assembly maybe similar in structure to a paint roller having a rotating structure onwhich is mounted a cylindrical roller adapted to hold and release paint.The roll of adhesive tape mounted on the roll holder may be a roll ofany desired width and constructed of an adhesive tape, such ascellophane, mylar, other plastic materials or of a paper base material.The adhesive thickness and strength or stickiness of the adhesive(strong to weak) may be varied depending upon the cleaning requirements.Importantly, the adhesive layer is placed on the outside of the woundadhesive roll and a tear line, such as a perforated line, approximatelyat each revolution, is provided for removing the outside segment fromthe roll.

[0007] At least one non-adhesive area is positioned on or adjacent thetear line to enable a user to easily identify, grasp and tear along theperforated line to remove a used adhesive segment. Preferably, aplurality of spaced non-adhesive areas extending from one edge to theopposite edge of the sheet are placed over the tear line. A tear line ispreferably located approximately once per revolution of the roll. Forexample, segment lengths between at least as long as the circumferenceof the core of the roll and the circumference of a full roll. A minimumsegment length is provided so that, upon removal of a used segment, thenext exposed segment is not partially debris laden to thereby decreasecleaning efficiency.

[0008] These and other benefits of this invention will become clear fromthe following description by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cleaning roller assembly of theinvention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roll of adhesive tape of theinvention and showing segments extending from the roll;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the end roll support memberof the roll holder; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the end roll support of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The cleaning roller assembly of the present invention provides aneasy to use and economical device for cleaning various surfaces, such ascarpeted floors, for example. The assembly utilizes a roller structurehaving an adhesive surface for attaching to and removing debris. Theroller structure is constructed and arranged so that the outside debrisladen adhesive layer may be easily removed and discarded and to quicklyprovide a new adhesive surface for further cleaning purposes.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the cleaning roller assembly 10 is showncomprised of a roller holder structure 13 and a roll 11 of flexibleadhesive material wound on a core 26. The roller assembly 10 is furthershown to have a frame structure 12 which has a series of right angledbends similar to that of a paint roller structure. One end of the framestructure 12 is shown positioned in a bore 21 of the handle member 20. Aroll holder structure 13 is shown positioned on the opposite end of theframe structure 12 and is held thereon by means of a locking cap 17 anda roll holder cap 16 and locking cap 18 arrangement. The frame structure12 is preferably constructed of a bent metal structure or the like, andmay have a diameter of 0.75 cm, for example.

[0015] The handle member 20 is also shown to have a threaded bore 22which is provided to receive the threaded end 24 of an extension pole23. The extension pole 23 may also have a handle member, for example, sothat a user is able to comfortably roll the mounted tape roll 11 over afloor, a ceiling or other areas to be cleaned, without bending over orrequiring awkward arm extensions. Other handle extension as well asadjustable extension means may be utilized in conjunction with orincorporated into the roll holder assembly of the present invention.

[0016] The roll holder 13 is shown constructed of a number of supportmembers 14 which are shown to be triangular in configuration, as shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, and which are constructed and arranged to frictionallyhold the core 26 of adhesive roll 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The supportmembers 14 may be of other configurations, however, the support members14 are constructed and arranged so that the roll holder 13 is mountedfor rotation about the end segment 19 of the frame structure 12. Forexample, a locking cap 17 and a roll holder cap 16 and locking cap 18arrangement is shown in FIG. 1 so that the roll holder 13 is held inplace on the end segment 19 of the frame structure 12, but is free forrotation about the frame 12 end segment.

[0017] The roll holder 13 is further shown to have longitudinal supportmembers 15 interconnecting the support members 14 to thereby provide asupport and securement structure for holding the adhesive roll 11. Thus,as the roll holder 13 rotates about the end segment 19 of the framestructure 12, the frictionally held, adhesive roll 11, rotatestherewith. The roll holder 13 may be constructed of a molded plastic,metallic or like structures or combinations thereof, for example.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the adhesive roll 11 is shown comprised of acylindrical or tubular core structure 26 having a length of flexibleadhesive material 27 wound thereabout. Importantly, the flexiblematerial or adhesive material 27 is wound having its adhesive side 29faced outwardly. Further, approximately each revolution of adhesivematerial has a tear line, such as perforated line 30, across thematerial which permits easy removal of individual flexible sheetsegments 28 and to provide a new adhesive surface layer for the rotatingadhesive roll. The tear lines are serially located along the length oftape 27 at segment lengths approximately the circumference of theadhesive roll 11. For example, as more segments are used, the distancebetween the tear lines may be smaller than the furthest most outsidetape segment. Alternatively, the same segment lengths may be utilizedwhereby the outermost roll circumference is the specified segment lengththroughout the roll.

[0019] To facilitate the grasping and tearing of the serially disposedtape segments 28, each tear or perforated line 30 is shown to have aplurality of non-adhesive portions 31, which permit the tear lines to beeasily identified, grasped and torn by a user. The non adhesive areas 31preferably extend from edge to edge and with one non-adhesive area 31(a)extending from each edge. This arrangement permits easy grasp by a user.The tear line 30 may be angled across the sheet, for example, and thenon adhesive area are preferably spaced from each other for quickidentification. The adhesive roll 11 may be constructed of any knownbase tape structure, i.e., cellophane, plastic or masking tape likestructures and having suitable adhesive compositions thereon. Theadhesive strength or stickiness of the composition may be varieddepending upon cleaning requirements. The important features, however,being the perforated lines for approximately each tape revolution,having the adhesive 29 extending outward from the tape roll 11 structureand having non-adhesive areas 31 located on or near the perforated lines30.

[0020] The adhesive roll 11 is further shown to have a base or corestructure 26, i.e., a length of cylindrical cardboard, plastic or likestructure which is adapted for frictional securement onto the rollholder 13 of the roller assembly 10. An exemplary cleaning rollerassembly may have the adhesive roll 11 with a core structure 26frictionally held on a 23 cm roll holder structure 13. The flexibleadhesive material may be of any width and preferably is wide enough toeasily accommodate relatively large cleaning areas. For example,adhesive rolls may be provided in a number of different widths, i.e., 4,8, 12, 16, etc. inch widths, so as to accommodate a variety of cleaningrequirements. The dimensions for the various elements or components ofthe cleaning roller assembly of the invention may be changed tofacilitate a variety of cleaning tasks. Further, the cooperatingelements and components may also be changed within the scope of theinvention.

[0021] In use, the adhesive roll 11 is mounted onto the roll holder 13of the roller assembly 10. With a clean outside wrap or segment 28 withthe adhesive 29 facing outward, a user grasps the handle 20 or theextension pole 23 and rolls the adhesive roll over the surface to becleaned, i.e., a carpeted floor or the like. The assembly may be rolledback and forth in sequential adjacent movement patterns to clean largeareas. For example, various floor, ceiling, wall or furniture structuresmay be cleaned in a similar manner. When the adhesive or sticky side ofthe mounted tape roll becomes dirty or filled with picked up debris, theoutside layer of tape, i.e., a segment 28, is removed by tearing thesegment along the perforated line 30. The non-adhesive portions 31 alongthe perforated line 30 permit the user to easily grasp and remove theoutside adhesive layer.

[0022] The roller assembly 10 shown is exemplary and may have otherconfigurations. For example, the frame structure 12 may be of anysuitable configuration having a handle member and/or an extendiblemember attached thereto. The roll holder 13 may also have otherconfigurations, i.e., at least one roll support structure which isconstructed and arranged to rotate and to hold a roll of adhesivematerials.

[0023] As many changes are possible to the embodiments of the assembliesof this invention utilizing the teachings thereof, the descriptionsabove, and the accompanying drawing should be interpreted in theillustrative and not in the limited sense.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An adhesive roll cleaning assemblycomprising: a) a tubular core member having a circumference; b) a lengthof flexible material wound around said tubular core member, said lengthof flexible material having an adhesive outer side, a bottom side andtwo opposing edges; c) a plurality of serially spaced perforationsextending between said opposing edges at predetermined segments alongsaid length of flexible material, said predetermined segments having alength at least the circumference of said tubular core member; d) atleast one non-adhesive area located on said adhesive outer side of saidlength of flexible material, said at least one non-adhesive areaextending to adjacent segments outward from both sides of each of saidplurality of perforations along said length of flexible material; and e)means to secure said tubular core member for rotation.
 2. The adhesiveroll cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein said means to secure saidtubular core member for rotation is a frame structure having a first endand a second end and wherein a handle member is attached to the firstend and wherein a rotatable member for receiving said tubular coremember is attached to said second end.
 3. The adhesive roll assembly ofclaim 2, wherein an extension member is provided for attachment to saidhandle member.
 4. The adhesive roll cleaning assembly of claim 1,wherein said flexible material is selected from the group of materialsconsisting of cellophane, mylar, plastic and paper and wherein saidtubular core member is made of a material selected from the group ofmaterials consisting of cardboard and plastic.
 5. The adhesive rollcleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein said length of said predeterminedsegments is approximately the circumference of a full roll having saidtubular core member with said length of flexible material woundthere-about.
 6. A rotatable cleaning assembly comprising: a) anelongated frame structure having a first end and a second end; b) ahandle structure attached to said first end; c) a rotatable structureattached to said second end, said rotatable structure constructed andarranged to receive a core member having a predetermined circumference;and d) a length of flexible material having an adhesive outer surfaceand being wound about said core member, wherein said length of flexiblematerial is further comprised of a plurality of serially separablesegments of flexible material and wherein the length of each saidserially separable segment is generally the same or greater than saidpredetermmined circumference of said core member.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 6, wherein said serially separable segments are defined by tearlines extending across said length of flexible material, and wherein atleast one non-adhesive portion is located along said tear lines andextending into the adjacent serially separable segments of flexiblematerial.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein a plurality ofnon-adhesive portions are provided on said tear lines and wherein onenon-adhesive portion is positioned on each edge of said separablesegments.
 9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said length of flexiblematerial is made from the group of materials consisting of cellophane,mylar, plastic and paper.
 10. The assembly of claim 6, wherein saidelongated frame structure is comprised of a bent frame elongated metalstructure and wherein said handle structure has means to receive anextension member and wherein an extension member is attached to saidmeans to receive said handle structure.
 11. The assembly of claim 6,wherein said rotatable structure is further comprised of a plurality ofspaced generally triangular support members and wherein said pluralityof generally triangular support members further include longitudinalsupport members interconnecting said generally triangular spaced supportmembers.
 12. The assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one locking capis provided configured to secure said rotatable structure to saidelongated frame structure.
 13. The assembly of claim 6, wherein saidelongated frame structure is approximately 0.75 cm in diameter andwherein said core member is approximately 7.5 cm in diameter and 23 cmin length.
 14. A cleaning roller assembly comprising: a) a plurality ofserially attached flexible sheets constructed and arranged to form alength of separable cleaning devices having an adhesive outer side forcollecting debris, each said serially attached flexible sheet having atop and a bottom, said top and bottom defined by perforations located atpredetermined locations along said length of separable cleaning devices,b) at least one non-adhesive area located along said perforations andextending from said bottom of one said sheet into said top of anadjacent flexible sheet; c) a roll member for holding and receiving saidlength of separable cleaning devices, said roll member having aspecified circumference, wherein said predetermined locations of saidperforations are spaced at intervals generally the same length as orgreater than said specified circumference of said roll member; and d) aframe structure having a means to receive and secure said roll memberfor rotation and further having an elongated handle member extendingfrom said means to receive and secure.
 15. The cleaning roller assemblyof claim 14, wherein said length of cleaning separable devices isprovided in a spiral roll for use.
 16. The cleaning roller assembly ofclaim 14, wherein an extension member is attached to said bent rodmember.
 17. The cleaning roller assembly of claim 14, wherein saidplurality of serially attached cleaning devices is made of a materialselected from the group consisting of cellophane, mylar, plastic andpaper.
 18. The cleaning roller assembly of claim 14, wherein said rollmember is made of a material selected from the group consisting ofcardboard and plastic.
 19. The cleaning roller assembly of claim 14,wherein said cleaning roller assembly is renewed for reuse by detachinga cleaning device along said perforations.
 20. A rotating cleaningdevice comprising: a) an adjustable frame member having a bottom end forholding a rotatable member, said rotatable member being constructed andarranged to receive a cylinder; and b) a cylindrical roll forpositioning on said rotatable member, said cylindrical roll comprising alength of flexible material having an adhesive outer surface, saidlength of flexible material having spaced perforations along saidlength, thereby forming segments, said segments each having a lengthgenerally the circumference of said cylindrical roll, said spacedperforated segments being defined by a perforated line extending acrossthe width of said length of flexible material and having a plurality ofnon-adhesive areas extending over said perforated lines, one saidnon-adhesive means being positioned on the edge of each said segment andcovering said perforated.